Welcome to the ramblings of my head. If you can get through all of the spider webs, hopefully you'll have some fun. Don't blame me if you get lost though. You've been warned!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

I Need to Snuff Out the Fag

Hello peeps and hoppers. 

I am here to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart. Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and I am part of the Hop Against Homophobia. Click the links on the names to check out their websites.

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” ~ C.S. Lewis

I thought of this post during a conversation with my friend Vicktor Alexander about the Bible. I know. I can hear the mass groan from here. hee hee   It was a good conversation though. 

I know that my title probably shocked some of you. Although, most of you are readers, so this may not work ...smarty pants that you are.  I am going to set up a scenario for you. I do have a point, so hang in there with me.  

Ready? Here we go...

Walking by a wooden church on Main Street, I glance over at the door as I pass. Two men are standing there, looking agitated and somewhat angry. I frown and slow to a stop as my curiosity gets the better of me. 

"Let's go, William. We need to leave." The smaller of the two men, pulls on the other's arm, trying to drag him away.

"Who brought that thing here, Thomas? It shouldn't be here." The larger man sneers, looking through the door at an object I cannot see. He seems more upset by the moment.

Confusion clouds the smaller man's face. "What? The fag?"

"Yeah," his friend grunts. "It shouldn't be here. They're bad."

The younger man rolls his eyes. "Let's just go, William."

"No, I need to snuff out that fag first." He states, while striding purposefully toward his prey. 

Now, if you were walking by and heard this, what would you think?

If it were me, I would think that some bigoted jerks were going to hurt someone because they were homophobic.

What if I told you that this scene happened in the U.K., and the time period was in the 1950's? What if I also told you, that even today, the word "fag" is used some places instead of the word "cigarette."

If you exchange those two words, the meaning behind that scenario changes dramatically. William was actually extremely upset, because someone left a burning cigarette in a wooden church.

This is one reason why, as a Progressive Christian, I cannot find it in me to take the Bible word for word. First, it has been translated numerous times into many different languages, and people are not perfect, no matter what they think. Also, things change, language included. There are many words out there that do not mean the same thing they did in the past. Unless we know the specific meanings in that time period, along with the culture and social structure, there is no way we can understand the full meaning. Lastly, perception, social standing, culture and background change so much about how things are interpreted. If I have PTSD because I was physically abused growing up, someone who yells and speaks with their hands would freak me out. Whether or not they meant to. 

Society has changed so much in the last few hundred years it's astounding. Some things haven't changed much though. Such as our human reaction to fear.

"The more things change, the more things stay the same. ' ~ Alphonse Karr

The Webster's dictionary defines phobia as....

Phobia:   Noun
:  an extremely strong dislike or fear of someone or something
:  an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation.

And what do people do when they are afraid of something? They destroy it. They hurt it before it can hurt them. A great example of this is the witch trials.

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." ~ Sir Winston Churchill

If something is different, weird or odd, it must be bad. If it is bad, it can hurt us. So we must control it and hurt it first. There are so many examples of this in the past, that we would be here all day if I tried to lay them out.

I think the reason that we are making steps with gay marriage, and the QUILTBAG community is becoming more open and accepted, is actually very simple. People are starting to realize that it's okay. They are losing some of the fear. Their neighbor, whom they always liked, is gay. A favorite cousin is gay. Their child, a loved one, even their parent, comes out of the closet. They are starting to come to the realization that it isn't a disease. They are not going to catch it and it's not going to hurt them.

But if you think the struggle is over and we can get lax, you are wrong. My parents, whom I love with all my heart and who are good people, were worried because my son was going to stay with my gay friend for a few days during spring break. They were afraid for my son. They were worried that my friend, because he is gay, could act out and become a pedophile.

Some of you may say, "What? They are bigots." I say no...they were afraid. They have never tried to stop me from being friends with or from writing about homosexual men. But that fear is still there. There is still so much they don't understand and they don't know, that it causes them to be afraid. The more they learn, the more they see, the more they meet my friends and realize that they are good people... the more their minds are changed. They lose that fear, and in turn, become more open to everyone.


It's not over. It will be a long time before it is, but by people making a stand, things are changing. We need to keep talking, keep showing people that things are okay. Homosexual and Transgender people are not the boogieman.

They are just people, who want to love and be loved. Like the rest of us.


Aaaaand...end rant.


So for my part of this blog hop, I am going to offer an ebook version of My Lord's Judgment and a $20 gift card to Amazon. Please comment below for a chance to win. This contest will go until May 27th. On the 28th I will post the winner here, and on Facebook, so check back to see if you've won.

Also, be sure to check out the rest of the blog posts below to see what else you can win, and to learn more about Homophobia and Transphobia. We can all make a difference, no matter how big or small. 

Hugs and Spanks

Taylor


1.Erica Pike (M/M)2.Cherie Noel (M/M)
3.K-Lee Klein (M/M)4.N.J. Nielsen (M/M)
5.Embry Carlysle (M/M)6.Kracken (M/M)
7.Zathyn Priest (M/M)8.Caitlin Ricci (MULTI)
9.CR Guiliano (M/M)10.Tyler Robbins (MULTI)
11.H.L. Holston (M/M)12.Gay List Book Reviews (MULTI, REV)
13.DP Denman (M/M)14.Bronwyn Heeley (M/M)
15.Moonbeams Over Atlanta (MULTI, REV)16.Jade Crystal (M/M)
17.Rawiya Erotica (M/M)18.Smoocher's Voice (REV, MULTI)
19.Dianne Hartsock (M/M)20.L. J. LaBarthe (M/M)
21.Anna Butler (M/M)22.Andrew Ashling (Gay)
23.Sophia Martin (BI)24.Kendall McKenna (M/M)
25.Rory Ni Coileain (M/M)26.M.A. Church (M/M)
27.Lori Toland (M/M)28.Lex Chase (M/M)
29.Caddy Rowland: Slice of Life (Gay, LGBT inclusive)30.Tempeste O'Riley (M/M)
31.Lizzie Eldridge (Multi)32.Louisa Bacio (M/M F/F Bi)
33.Leigh Ellwood (MULTI)34.A P Massie (BI)
35.Adrian J. Smith (F/F, Bi)36.Anastasia Vitsky (F/F)
37.Boys in our Books (REV)38.Grace R. Duncan (M/M BI)
39.Joelle Casteel (MULTI, REV)40.Charley Descoteaux (M/M, Bi)
41.Vona Logan (M/M)42.S.A. McAuley (M/M Bi)
43.CJane Elliott (M/M, BI)44.Katey Hawthorne (Bi, M/M, F/F)
45.Lily Sawyer (M/M)46.Draven St. James (M/M)
47.Morticia Knight (M/M, M/M/F)48.Whitley Gray (M/M)
49.The Novel Approach (M/M REV)50.Victoria Zagar/Infinite Love (MULTI, REV)
51.Chris Cox (GAY)52.J.P. Bowie (M/M)
53.Iyana Jenna (M/M)54.Evelise Archer (M/M)
55.ND Wylders (MM)56.N.S. Beranek (Gay)
57.Jane Wallace-Knight (M/M)58.Julie Lynn Hayes (M/M)
59.Anne Barwell (M/M)60.Lou Sylvre (M/M)
61.Wicked Wolves & Dreaming Dragons (M/M, REV)62.Bending the Bookshelf (TR)
63.Get Freaky With Me La Drama Princess (F/F, M/M, BI, TR) - NSFW64.L M Somerton (M/M)
65.Beth D. Carter (MMF, M/M)66.Joanna Darrell (Rev)
67.B. Snow Procrastinates (M/M, F/F)68.Andrew J. Peters (Gay)
69.Elin Gregory (M/M)70.S.J. Frost (M/M)
71.DeeJay Arens (M/M)72.Prism Book Alliance (M/M, Rev)
73.Meredith Daniels (M/M)74.Lynley Wayne (M/M)
75.Guilty Indulgence (REV)76.JC Wallace (M/M)
77.Sharing Links and Wisdom (REV)78.Taylor Law (M/M)
79.Barbara Winkes (F/F)80.Postcard to Putin
81.S.K Logsdon (Multi)82.For Once & Forever (MULTI)
83.Dee Tass (F/F)84.KC Burn (M/M)
85.Kim Fielding (M/M)86.C.C. Williams (M/M)
87.J.R. Loveless (M/M)88.Tali Spencer (M/M)
89.Kimber Vale (M/M)90.Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese (M/M, F/F, BI, TR)
91.KT Grant (LGBT Romance)92.Teresa Wymore (F/F, DES)
93.Alex Jones (M/M)94.Vanessa North (Multi)
95.Leigh Ellwood (M/M, F/F, Bi, TR)96.Viki Lyn (M/M)
97.J.L. Gaynor (F/F)98.Harper Bliss (F/F)
99.Carolyn Gray (M/M)100.Thorny Sterling (M/M)
101.Megan Linden (M/M)102.Patricia Logan (M/M)
103.Michael P Thomas (Gay)104.Jolynn Raymond (F/F)
105.Nikka Michaels (M/M)106.Jayson James (Gay)
107.RJ Scott (M/M)108.Tina Blenke (M/M)
109.Rainbow Gold Reviews (REV, M/M, F/F, BI, TR)110.Heloise West (MM)
111.VJ Summers Writes Smut! (Multi, M/M, M/M/F)112.Jessie Lansdel (M/M)
113.Kayci Morgan (M/M)114.Rooster & Pig Publishing (PUB)
115.Vicktor Alexander (MULTI)116.Dean Pace-Frech (M/M)
117.Tara Lain (M/M)118.Alexis Duran (M/M)
119.J. Osiris Baldwin (M/M, TR, F/F)120.Angel Martinez (M/M
121.Westbrook Jameson (M/M)122.ScuttlebuttReviews (M/M, REV)
123.LYLBTB (M/M, REV)124.Eva Lefoy (M/M)
125.Shiloh Saddler (Multi)126.Andrew Jericho (M/M, TR)
127.Michael Mandrake (M/M)128.Lipstick Lesbian Reviews (REV)
129.Amelia Bishop (M/M)130.Julie Bozza (M/M)
131.R.A. Padmos (m/m) 

60 comments:

  1. Dude. You rocked it. Damn fine rant-er-post.
    Thank you for being part of the Hop, Taylor.
    ~~Cherie Noel~~

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    1. Thank you for having me, Cherie. I'm proud to take part, and I'm glad you liked it.

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  2. I'm from the UK, I got the title before reading your really interesting blog post.
    Personally I don't thing anyone has the right to tell anyone who they can and can not love. Whether it be a male or a female the choice should be upto the individual and not biggots who are full of hate.

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    1. Thank you, Tracy. I completely agree with you.

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  3. A beautiful post Taylor..
    I live in Italy we have the Pope you know how we are catholics bla bla bla... I honestly agree with you about the Bible we can't take it word for word..
    I'm so jealous about the progress you made on gay marriage.. I don't like talk bad about my country cause I think every country have its problems but I hope we all could be more open
    It could be so simple to understand that there's noting to accept or be afraid of

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    1. Thank you, Stella. Yes, we all have our problems. It is changing, but it's baby steps. Some day, I hope that it won't be a big deal. I hope my grandchildren see a day where love is love, and it doesn't matter. The fear is gone.

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  4. Great post! I had a feeling I knew where your story was going. I'm glad I was right. I loved your rant. It's true.

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    1. Thank you, Jen. It seems most people knew. LOL I'm glad you liked it.

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  5. thought provoking .....although being an Aussie I had a fair idea where this post was going :)

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    1. Thank you, Lee. Yeah, I'm guessing this really only would be shocking in certain parts of the U.S. And even then, most readers would have the knowledge I do and would get it straight away. I am glad I didn't truly offend anyone...yet. LOL

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  6. Great post Taylor! I wouldn't even consider that a rant. It was well thought out and fair. We all have to be diligent in correcting false assumptions of people in the lgbtq community.

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    1. Thanks, dpiazzi. I completely agree. There are so many people who are clueless, it's sad. We need to work together to open their eyes.

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  7. Great post Taylor!
    rockybatt@gmail.com

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  8. This is an AmAzInG post. It saddens me that the very people who are supposed to live in love and care for others above themselves are so blind and bigoted. Our churches need more people like you in them! Thank you for sharing this positive and heartfelt message. It's one I can get behind 110% of the way!

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    1. Thank you so much! I agree with you. It is extremely sad that the main message of the Christian faith, love and forgiveness, is the thing that is forgotten and blanketed by outdated dogma. It doesn't make people feel welcome and want to participate, it makes them run for cover. And it makes those of us that are not like that look bad - guilt by association. I can only hope that someday things will be different. I appreciate your comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)

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  9. Great blog post. Your perspective that some reactions are born or fear not homophobia is one I never truly considered before. I lumped all reactions like your parent's under the homophobia umbrella. I totally agree with your assertion that the words in the Bible cannot be taken as absolute truth without the knowledge of social mores and language usage at the time of the particular translation. Thanks for you insight.

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    1. You're welcome. Thank you for reading my post. I'm glad I could give a different perspective on it. Obviously, there are hateful people in this world, and they just live to be bigoted to everything. But in my little bubble, more people have just got it wrong. They take the Bible literally, and spew what they were taught, thinking that they are standing up for their religion and being good Christians. When in fact, they are just sheep. It's sad, really. Most are good people, not hateful, just confused. And then the others are afraid. If everyone in my world could get rid of their fear and start using their brains, hundreds would think like me. It's only a matter of time, I think. I hope! Thank you for commenting.

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  10. Awesome post. Thank you for the giveaway.

    marsh10@netzero.com

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    1. Thank you. And you're welcome. Good luck in winning. :)

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  11. You make a really good point!

    vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

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  12. Taylor, that was beautifully said. :)

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    1. Thank you, Kiernan. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. :)

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  13. Thanks for participating in this great hop :)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. :D You're welcome. Thank you for participating too. Even if you didn't blog (I don't know everyone who did) without people to write for, we would be talking to ourselves and it wouldn't be worth anything.

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  14. Great Post. Thanks so much for being a part of the hop!
    raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you and you're welcome. :)
      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  15. Wonderful post. I knew where you were going with the post while reading the scenario. It just goes to show how words can be misinterpreted. Thanks for taking part in the hop.

    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. :)

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  16. Nice of you to share and participate

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, bn100 :) I'm very thankful I could be a part of this.

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  17. Yes, there are gay men who are pedophiles. There are (probably many more) straight men who are pedophiles, so does that mean we keep children away from all men? Some LGBT people make unwanted advances on straight people. Probably many more straight people make unwanted advances on LGBT people. People want an easy target for blame, but it's never that easy.

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    1. Exactly, Anastasia! It's sad really. It's all assumptions and inaccurate propaganda that has continued to feed the fear. It's not logical, but it is easier to blame someone.

      Thank you for reading, even though you don't like black background and white letters. I hope it didn't give you a headache. I appreciate it so much! :)

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  18. What a really interesting post. Thank you!
    MHupp20032003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Thanks, Taylor, for supporting the hop. Education is the key. When the idea that the person you've always liked and maybe even depended upon, doesn't change when they 'come out'. lena.grey.iam@gmail.com

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    1. Exactly, Lena. Here's hoping that the shift will keep coming. Nothing will change bigot's minds. They just love to hate. But I think for most, education will definitely help. Thanks. :)

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  20. You are so true in your statement here. "There is still so much they don't understand and they don't know, that it causes them to be afraid. The more they learn, the more they see, the more they meet my friends and realize that they are good people... the more their minds are changed. They lose that fear, and in turn, become more open to everyone." From fear comes inhibitions. Since so many are unaware of the LGBT people and their lives, they make up wrong stories in their minds about LGBT community as a whole and starts to avoid it. Only education can spread awareness

    ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

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    1. Thank you, Ray. :) I agree. I think education is the key.

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  21. Great post! You are right: fear is the biggest factor of all. caddyauthor(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Thank you for participating and sharing your thoughts.
    OceanAkers @ aol.com

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    1. You're welcome, Juliana. Thank you for reading. :)

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  23. I agree with you, Taylor. LGBT equality has moved forward because LGBTs and our allies have become more visible, challenging the attitude that we are scary and degenerate. Happy Hop!

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    1. Thanks, Andy. Yes, and we're not going to stop until they get it! :D Happy Hop to you as well.

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  24. Thanks for taking part in the hop!

    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

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  25. I really loved your post. I agree with you a hundred percent and I loved how you helped us to visualize the scene! ;)

    marc.darkshade@gmail.com

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  26. Hi Taylor! Thank you for taking part in the hop and for the chance to enter! wendynjason04@gmail.com

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    1. Wendy!! You're welcome. Thank you for stopping by.

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  27. I enjoyed your post. Thanks for being part of the hop.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  28. Lovely post! Thanks so much for taking part in the hop and for doing your fair share of eye-opening, Taylor! :)

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    1. Thanks, Kimber. I appreciate you stopping by. :)

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  29. Great post, Taylor. Thanks for joining us.

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